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The Missions Community

Listen to the Words of Jesus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12) The greatness that you and I are destined for happens as a result of doing the works of Jesus. Jesus came not only came to save mankind, but to equip Him to do greater works than He did. In this way Jesus continues to work - through ordinary folks like you and me. But His works are certainly NOT ordinary. Jesus said we would do greater works than the ones He did because He had to go to the Father. When Jesus ascended back to the Father He sent forth the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to empower and equip those who would surrender their lives to Jesus. Nothing in your destiny has anything to do with mediocrity!

But the fact is, instead of moving in the greatness of God, many followers of Christ are flowing in mediocrity - the enemy of greatness. The greatness of God is being diluted by the mediocrity of this world. Routine, schedules, debt, occupation, hobbies, the desire for "other things", and oh yes sin, are choking God's greatness out of Christian lives. Realize this...Jesus died not only for you to go to heaven, but for you to do great and mighty exploits for Him on this earth. It is a person moving in God's greatness who's works are eternally significant. What do I mean by eternally significant? I mean they are the works of Jesus. The works He spoke of in John 14:12. Jesus also says, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." When you do it to Jesus, you do it for Jesus.

What is mediocre? One definition says it is "barely adequate". I don't want to be barely adequate for Jesus. Perhaps too many of us are" barely adequate" for Jesus. Why? Because the greatness of our destiny is being diluted by mediocrity. We slide in to its rut because we are convinced Jesus will do it through and for the next person, but certainly not for me. It has taken me a long time, but I am finally learning that greatness is just as much my part as it is Jesus's. I must be the one to surrender. I must be the one to obey His every command. And I must to decide that I will be a servant of Jesus and others.

Jesus said, "...but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant," (Matthew 20:26) Serving is the road to greatness as far as Jesus in concerned. In complete contrast, the world says we must compete with others for greatness. We must give our entire lives for the cause of becoming great for ourselves...by ourselves. The problem is that we eventually lose our lives. We can amass great wealth and stuff, be it has no eternal significance, and in the eyes of Jesus we've done nothing and we've become nothing.

Let me say it again. God has called you to greatness, not mediocrity. He has called you to a life of adventure. It requires great sacrifice. You must serve others. But it is the only way to the greatness Jesus talks about in Matthew 20. There is great joy in greatness. Because you experience the joy of others and they are blessed. Join with me in launching to the next level. Commit today to doing the great exploits Jesus has destined you for. I will too!

As I bask in the presence of God's Spirit on this Saturday morning, I am listening to an incredible song that seems to reach deep into my heart. The lyrics go like this:

"Hide me nowUnder Your wingsCover meWithin Your mighty hand

Find rest my soulIn Christ aloneKnow His powerIn quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roarI will soar with You above the stormFather you are King over the floodI will be still and know You are God"[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong_united/still.html ]

Storms will come. They are inevitable. The waters will rise. But we can soar above the storm as He is King...even over the flood. The key however is to "Be Still" before Him. The lyrics of this song come from Psalm 46:10, "Cease striving (Be still) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

We don't know that God is really God until we cease and desist from all of our activities and sit at His feet. We are all too busy and when the storm comes most of us panic. Why? Because we don't know He is God. I'm not saying we're not saved. But to know that He is God is to know Him intimately. When we know God intimately, we not only know of His love and grace, but we also know of His capabilities. We know that He is for us and not against us!

When we stop and sit at His feet perspectives are corrected; attitudes are realigned; emotions are healed; and most important of all...we KNOW He is God. This brings us to a stronger faith and trust in Him and His Word. The Sons of Korah had a clue. They knew eventually it would get to the point in which they had to STOP and wait before their God. Nothing else would suffice. Nothing else would do. Nothing else would even matter.

If you need God (like me) to be exalted in your life and in your situation then simply stop. Go to Him and worship Him. Make time to wait before Him. Sit at His feet and receive the "good part which shall never be taken away from you". (See Luke Chapter 10) Simply be still and know.

It's Monday morning. A very busy week lies ahead and what are you thinking? It's quite common for working people to be thinking "On no! It's Monday. Not again!" Some are thinking "Where oh where did the weekend go?" The answer to the last question? It's gone! However another weekend is on its final approach to your life and it will be here soon enough. And between last weekend and this weekend is another work week. It's kind of difficult to change that. So let's see this brand new work week as a week filled with opportunities that begin today...Monday!

Yes, you still have to face the routine stuff in your work week that you face every week. But do something different this week (starting today). Look for opportunities. Look for opportunities on your job. What kind of opportunities? Opportunities to bless someone in some way. Opportunities to excel in what you do. Opportunities to do your job better than you have been doing it. Opportunities to be an example of a good work ethic. (There's one that's needed almost everywhere.) Opportunities to help someone in some way.

Next, listen for opportunities. People talk all the time (most of the time too much). But just listen. You will hear of opportunities. Some are hurting. You can add them to your prayer list and pray specifically for them. Some people are discouraged. Your positive attitude can encourage them. In many cases the key to being a godly example is to just listen. Listening can help you respond better and much more accurately. If everyone is negative...be positive! You may feel all alone but you will be the one God uses to influence others for Him! Remember, being a godly influence means at times you stand alone!

Take opportunities when they are presented to you. Better yourself at what you do. Being the best at what you do is a godly virtue. The Bible says that Daniel had a "spirit of excellence". Joseph wasn't perfect and he saw every set-back he experienced as doors of opportunity. When you see and hear opportunities...take a stab at them. Don't just let them pass you by. It makes for a very interesting life. It makes for a very interesting week. So today is Monday. It's not just Monday. It's the first day a week filled with opportunities. Go get them!